Voted Best Nutritionists in Austin 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

New Year. Better You.

The key to reaching your optimal potential both mentally and physically: NUTRITION

It’s that time of year. The holidays are over and you’re starting the New Year off right. Right? Challenge yourself this year to take control of your health – both mentally and physically. There is no greater reward you could give yourself, or those around you, then taking care of your own health. After all, if you feel good, you exude greatness!

We have come up with five ways to start the New Year on the path to achieving your 2015 health goals.

1.) Drink plenty of water. This is number one for a reason. Water is one of the most underrated components of health. As dietitians, it has been eye opening to see just how many people live in a state of dehydration. This is a surprising statement, considering it is composed of two of the most abundant elements on earth, and your body is made of ~70%

of it. Proper hydration is absolutely necessary for efficient cellular functioning and metabolism. You’ve heard it before, but it cannot be stressed enough—drink more water! Keep your body in a constant state of hydration, and you will notice how impactful that little H20 can really be. What’s the best way to tell if you are hydrated? Your urine. Take a peek. It should be a light lemonade color.

2.) Maintain a positive mindset. The size of your objective doesn’t matter; having the right mindset is critical. It is easy to get discouraged when you fall of track with goals, but the key is moving forward and getting back on track with the next meal or fitness routine. Believing in your ability is half the battle in making more health conscious decisions. Recognize that perfection is an illusion, and you are on a health journey, which, like life, will be one with highs and lows. Maintaining a positive mindset will make the lows more bearable and the highs even better! Your mindset will make a world of difference when it comes to reaching your greatest potential.

3.) Set small, attainable goals. Set yourself up for success from the beginning. The best way to do this is to create a road map of small goals that will lead up to your ultimate objective. Keep the end in mind, but be present in the now. Take it day by day, and do what you can in the moment to ensure your success. This not only makes it feel less overwhelming, but has been a proven way to reach success.

4.) Eat intuitively. We are often asked, “How many calories should I eat?” This is a valid question. Although we can give you calorie ranges based off scientific calculations, this is something that you should actually be telling us. How do you know how many calories to eat then? Listen to your body. Your body is a fascinating, complex machine and it knows exactly what you need. It really is about listening to it and tuning into your hunger cues. Know when you are full by letting your brain process the feeling of satiety. Put simply: eat when you are hungry, and stop when you are f

ull. That’s how many calories you should eat. Easier said than done though! We get it. Like anything, it will take practice to become fully intuitive of what your body needs. Start by listening.

5.) Add variety. This is the best way to avoid the rut, which leads to metabolic plateaus. Fill your body with a variety of nutrients, not just the same ones everyday. A good way to do this is to add in different colors. Eat every color of produce you can in a week. Go for the purple beets, the orange peppers, the red tomatoes, and the green leaves. Mixing up your eating routine will deter feelings of food boredom and increase your chances of staying on plan and reaching your goals. Also, your taste buds change, so try some foods you thought you didn’t like before. You never know, you may just enjoy those Brussels sprouts after all!

No matter what your resolution is this year, Pure Austin Nutrition is here to support you. Whether you want to lose weight, increase your energy, run a marathon, increase productivity, sleep better, or gain muscle, we have a plan for you.

The above tips are a great way to start the New Year. For a more comprehensive, in depth plan that is individualized, we encourage you to set up a session with one of your Pure Austin Dietitians. It is our job to help you reach your highest potential of health this year.